Hundreds of people packed into a conference room at the Sheraton Hotel in Salt Lake City Wednesday. The 2015 Homelessness Summit drew record numbers as local service providers, non-profit representatives, and community partners came together to discuss the state of Utah’s homelessness and what the next steps are.

This is the 12th year of the annual event, which features breakout sessions that focus on elements of services to homeless people, as well as how current programs can improve. Lt. Governor Spencer Cox also addressed all the attendees, emphasizing compassion and an attitude of constant improvement.

The issue of homelessness has drawn a lot of attention in recent news reports, as well as in the Salt Lake City mayoral race. The recognition of its importance has grown from just those in the government or nonprofit sector, to business leaders and the public at large.